Amusement game with inter-personal contact

ABSTRACT

A game for facilitating inter-personal contact includes a game board. The game board includes human body indicia thereon that represents at least a portion of a human body. The game board further comprises path indicia thereon that indicates at least one path for movement of an associated game piece on the game board relative to the human body indicia. A location of the associated game piece relative to the human body indicia on the at least one path controls inter-personal contact between first and second game players. At least one game control element controls movement of the associated game piece on the path. A method of playing the game is also disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority from and hereby expressly incorporates by reference U.S. provisional application No. 60/277,092 filed Mar. 19, 2001.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to a board-type amusement game with interpersonal contact between the game contestants controlled by the game rules. The game is intended to provide amusement and also to facilitate communication and physical contact between people in a relationship as is required for a healthy and sustainable relationship.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, a game for facilitating inter-personal contact includes a game board. The game board includes human body indicia thereon that represents at least a portion of a human body. The game board further comprises path indicia thereon that indicates at least one path for movement of an associated game piece on the game board relative to the human body indicia. A location of the associated game piece relative to the human body indicia on the at least one path controls inter-personal contact between first and second game players. The game further includes at least one game control element for controlling movement of the associated game piece on the at least one path indicated by the path indicia.

[0004] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method of playing a game includes moving a game piece on a path of a game board according to game rules and at least one game control element. The game further includes determining a location of the game piece relative to human body indicia on the game board. The game further includes contacting a second player of the game at a location on the second player's body that varies based upon the location of the game piece relative to the human body indicia.

[0005] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a game includes a game board comprising path indicia defining a path for game piece movement and human body indicia representing a human body. The game further includes at least one game control element for determining movement of an associated game piece on the path defined by said path indicia. The game further includes game instructions that instruct a first player of the game to contact a second player of the game at a location on the second player's body that varies depending upon a location of the associated game piece on the path relative to the human body represented by the human body indicia.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] The present invention comprises various components and arrangements of components, and comprises various steps and arrangements of steps, preferred embodiments of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof and wherein:

[0007]FIG. 1 is a flow-chart disclosing steps of an amusement game in accordance with the present invention;

[0008]FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic illustration of a game board formed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0009]FIG. 3 illustrates six different types of playing card game control elements that are used together with the game board of FIG. 2; and,

[0010]FIG. 4 (comprising FIGS. 4A-4E) is a flow chart that discloses game rules according to a preferred game played in accordance with the present invention using the game board of FIG. 2 and the playing card game control elements of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] A game in accordance with the present invention can be played with any number of people or game contestants. However, the game is intended to increase communication and intimacy in a relationship and, thus, it is thought that a game in accordance with the present invention will generally be played with two players or contestants. Accordingly, a game in accordance with the present invention is described herein with reference to two players, player #1 and player #2.

[0012] Referring first to FIG. 1, a game in accordance with the present invention comprises four basic steps. In a first step S1, game piece movement on a game board is determined for player #1 and/or player #2 according to game rules. In a step S2, player #1 and/or player #2 move respective game pieces or take turns moving a single game piece on the game board according to the game piece movement determined in step S1. In a step S3, player #1 and/or player #2 touch or otherwise interact with the other's body as indicated by the location of the game piece on the game board as indicated by other game control elements as described below. Step S4 comprises repeating steps S1-S3 until player #1 and/or player #2 completes the game board (or until either player drops out of the game). In one version of the game, one game piece will be used alternately and moved by the players in turn according to game rules. In other game versions, each player may have his/her own game piece. The present invention is not to be limited to either arrangement.

[0013]FIG. 2 illustrates a game board B that can be used to play a game according to the steps disclosed in FIG. 1. The game board comprises indicia that is generally laid out to resemble a football field F. The game board comprises first and second starting points 10,12 (one indicated as white and one as black). The starting points 10,12 are located at opposite ends of the field F. A first path 20 extends from the first starting point 10 to a scoring location 30. Likewise, a second path 22 extends from the second starting point to the scoring location 30.

[0014] Indicia 40 resembling or representing a human figure is located on the game board B. It is preferred that the human indicia 40 include a head portion 42 and a foot portion 44, with the head portion located adjacent the first starting point 10 and the foot portion 44 located adjacent the second starting point 12. The human indicia 40 includes a first side 46 that represents a back side of a human and a second side 48 that represents a front side of a human.

[0015] The human indicia 40 extends between the head portion 42 and the foot portion 44 as shown. The human indicia 40 is divided into sections by yardage indicia 50 designated in ten yard increments in a manner that is similar to a traditional football field. As shown, the yardage indicia 50 comprises lines that divide the human indicia into about ten equal sections.

[0016] It is preferred that the first path 20 extend from the first starting point 10 toward the second starting point 12 until it reaches a point roughly halfway between the first and second starting points 10,12. The point halfway between the first and second starting points is designated by the yardage indicia 52 a as the “50 yard line” as shown. From that point, the first path 20 turns and follows a path that leads away from the second starting point and to a corresponding “50 yard line” indicia 52 b located adjacent the head portion 42 at the second (front) side 48 of the human indicia 40. From this point, the first path 20 extends toward the opposite end of the field F until, once again, reaching the midpoint of the field. The midpoint of the field on the second (front) side of the human indicia 40 is designated “SCORE” to indicate completion of the first path at the scoring location 30 as noted above. In other words, the first path extends from a point located at the first (back) side 46 of the head portion 42 of the human indicia 40, to a point about halfway between the first and second starting points 10,12 on the first (back) side of the human indicia 40, and from there to a point adjacent the head portion 42 at the second (front) side of the human indicia, and from there toward the opposite end of the field F until reaching the “SCORE” region 30 located about midway between the head portion 42 and foot portion 44 of the human indicia on the second (front) side of the human indicia 40.

[0017] In mirror-image fashion, it is preferred that the second path 22 extend from the second starting point 12 toward the first starting point 10 until it reaches a point roughly halfway between the first and second starting points 10,12. The point halfway between the first and second starting points is designated by the yardage indicia 52 a as the “50 yard line” as shown. From that point, the second path 22 turns and follows a path that leads away from the first starting point and to a corresponding “50 yard line” indicia 52 c located adjacent the foot portion 44 at the second (front) side 48 of the human indicia 40. From this point, the second path 22 extends toward the opposite end of the field F until, once again, reaching the midpoint of the field. As noted above, the midpoint of the field on the second (front) side 48 of the human indicia 40 is the scoring location 30 and is designated “SCORE” to indicate completion of both the first and second paths 20,22. Stated differently, the second path 22 extends from a point located at the first (back) side 46 of the foot portion 44 of the human indicia 40, to a point about halfway between the first and second starting points 10,12 on the first (back) side 46 of the human indicia 40, and from there to a point 52 c adjacent the foot portion 44 at the second (front) side of the human indicia 40, and then from there toward the opposite end of the field F until reaching the “SCORE” region 30 located about midway between the head portion 42 and foot portion 44 of the human indicia on the second (front) side of the human indicia 40.

[0018] Turning now to FIG. 3, six different playing card game control elements 70 a-70 f are illustrated. The card 70 a is an “injury” card that specifies an that injury has been inflicted upon one of the players. The card 70 b is a “yardage” card that specifies a yardage gain for the player designated as being on offense. The card 70 c is a “penalty” card that specifies a penalty to be assessed against one of the players. The card 70 d is a “fumble” card that indicates that a fumble has occurred and that the other player has recovered the ball on a particular yard line of the field F of the game board. The card 70 e is a “halftime” card that indicates an intermission on the game during which one of the players must entertain the other player. The card 70 f is a “score” card that one of the players can advance his/her game piece immediately to the “SCORE” region 30 of the field F.

[0019]FIG. 4 discloses a preferred game that utilizes the game board B and the game control element cards 70 a-70 f in accordance with the present invention. With respect to the game control element cards 70 a-70 f, it should be noted that in the preferred embodiment, an ordinary deck of playing cards is used, but that the cards are each labeled as one of the cards shown in FIG. 3 so that each card functions as both an ordinary playing card and also as a game control element.

[0020] In a step TF1, Player #1 and Player #2 perform a coin toss to determine which player begins the game. In particular, the winner of the coin toss is designated “offense” and the “loser” of the coin toss is designated “defense” as indicated at TF2 in FIG. 4.

[0021] The player on offense performs a step TF 3 of choosing one of the starting points 10,12. A game piece such as a coin or other object is used to a player's progress on the paths 20,22 leading from the starting points 10,12 to the scoring region 30.

[0022] After the starting points 10,12 have been selected, the player on offense performs a step TF4 of drawing a card from a deck of game control element cards (typically a 52 card deck of cards). Each game control element card 70 a-70 f includes kickoff indicia 80 thereon (see e.g., card 70 f) that indicates a kickoff amount by which the player on offense is to move the game piece. In a step TF5, the player on offense reads the kickoff indicia 80. In a step TF6, the player on offense advances the game piece on the path 20,22 by the amount indicated by the kickoff indicia using the yardage indicia 50 on the board B as a guide.

[0023] In a step TF7, the player on offense deals a hand of cards to the player on offense and the player on defense. In a step TF8, each player selects a card from his/her hand to use in a high-card duel. In step TF9, the players play their respective selected cards in a duel to determine a winner. In a step TF10, the winner orders his/her cards as desired to manipulate the upcoming sequence of plays. In a step TF1 1, the loser from step TF9 discards all cards in his/her hand.

[0024] In a step TF12, the player on offense selects a card to be played from the winner's hand of cards in the order previously set by the winner. According to steps TF13-TF18, the card is determined to be one of a “fumble” card 70 d, a “penalty” card 70 c, a “halftime” card 70 e, an “injury” card 70 a, a “score” card 70 f or a “yardage” card 70 b. In the case the card is a fumble card 70 d, a fumble play is carried out according to step TF20; if the card is a penalty card 70 c, a penalty play is carried out according to step TF21; if the card is a halftime card 70 c, a halftime play is carried out according to a step TF22; if the card is an injury card 70 a, an injury play is carried out according to the step TF23; if the card is a score card 70 f, a score play is carried out according to a step TF24; and, if the card is a yardage card 70 b, a yardage play is carried out according to a step TF25.

[0025] After the relevant play is carried out according to the steps TF20-TF 25, a step TF30 is carried out to determine if any cards remain in the winner's hand of cards. If yes, the above steps are repeated beginning with step TF12, where the offense selects the next card from the winner's hand of cards. In this manner, and as described below, the game pieces of the offense and defense are moved along the respective paths 20,22. If cards do not remain in the winner's hand according to step TF30, the above steps are repeated beginning with step TF7, where the player on offense deals a hand of cards to both the player on offense and the player on defense. If the deck of cards is exhausted, the discarded cards are reshuffled and used again. The game continues until either or both players desire to terminate play.

[0026] The fumble play TF20 corresponds to a fumble in football and means that the offense and defense switch roles, with the player that was formerly on defense beginning his/her offensive game from the field position indicated on the card 70 d. In the example card 70 d, the defense has recovered the ball (and moves the game piece to) the “20 yard line” of the path 20,22 as indicated by the yardage indicia 50.

[0027] The penalty play TF21 corresponds to a penalty in football and means that the player on offense is penalized as specified on the card 70 c and moves the game piece in a reverse direction on the path 20,22 accordingly. If a penalty causes the player on offense to return to his/her starting point 10,12, the player on offense is reassigned to play defense and the player on defense is the new offensive player.

[0028] To carry out a halftime play according to the step TF22, the player on offense must entertain the player on defense without physical contact (e.g., by a performance or the like).

[0029] The injury play according to step TF23 is carried out by the player on offense advising the player on defense as to the nature of the injury that has been inflicted upon the player on offense as indicated by the card 70 a or as determined by the player on offense. Neither player moves the game piece, but the player on defense must assist the player on offense with respect to the injured body part by soothing contact or the like.

[0030] When the offense plays the score card 70 f, he/she moves the game piece directly to the scoring location 30 and must take action as described below.

[0031] Lastly, in the event the player on offense receives a yardage card 70 b, the player on offense moves the game piece by the amount specified on the yardage card and takes action as described below.

[0032] Without regard to the particular play involved, each time a player moves the game piece along a path 20,22, he/she must touch the opposing (defense) player on the opposing player's body in the region that corresponds to the location of the offensive player's game piece relative to the human indicia 40 or as otherwise indicated by indicia on the game board. For example, if the offensive player's game piece is located adjacent the head region 42 of the human indicia 40 after the offensive player moves his/her game piece, the offensive player must touch the head region of the defensive player's body. In this manner, interpersonal contact is carried out between and among the players. The contact can be any contact desired by the particular players and it is not intended that the game be limited to any particular type of inter-personal contact. Also, it is most preferred that each path include indicia 80 at certain locations that indicate locations where the player on defense determines the type of interpersonal contact to be carried out by the player on offense. In either case, it is suggested that the inter-personal contact have a duration of at least one minute.

[0033] It should be noted that when the game piece reaches the 50 yard line indicia 52 a, that player can then automatically advance his/her game piece to the 50 yard line indicia 52 b,52 c as appropriate to continue play toward the scoring location 30. Also, in an alternative embodiment, the players can be instructed to change from one of the paths 20,22 to the other of the paths 20,22 when the game piece reaches the 50 yard line indicia 52 a.

[0034] Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other card games can be played using the game control element cards 70 a-70 f without departing from the overall scope and intent of the present invention. For example, the cards that include the game control element cards 70 a-70 f can be used to play an ordinary game of poker or blackjack, and the winning cards (or other cards) used to determine the plays executed by the player on offense. It is most preferred that the game control element cards 70 a-70 f be arranged in a deck of 52 cards comprising 3 injury cards 70 a, 30 yardage cards 70 b, 8 penalty cards 70 c, 9 fumble cards 70 d, 1 halftime card 70 e and 1 score card 70 f.

[0035] Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that game control element(s) or means for game control other than the cards 70 a-70 f can be used to control movement of each player's game piece on the paths 20,22. In one example, a die or dice are used as a means for game control or as a game control element. In another example, a wheel or the like is provided and spun by the offensive player as a means for game control or as a game control element. It is not intended that the invention be limited to any particular game control element(s). Also, while the game has been described as one player being assigned as offense and the other as defense, it is contemplated that the players alternate or “take turns” moving their respective game pieces. Also, the human indicia 40 need not represent an entire human body and may or may not resemble a human figure or part of a human figure.

[0036] The invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments. Modifications and alterations will occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. It is intended that all such modifications and alterations be encompassed by the appended claims. 

Having thus described the preferred embodiments, what is claimed is:
 1. A game for facilitating inter-personal contact, said game comprising: a game board including human body indicia thereon that represents at least a portion of a human body and including path indicia thereon that indicates at least one path for movement of an associated game piece on said game board relative to said human body indicia, wherein a location of the associated game piece relative to said human body indicia on said at least one path indicated by said path indicia controls inter-personal contact between first and second game players; at least one game control element for controlling movement of the associated game piece on the at least one path indicated by said path indicia.
 2. The game as set forth in claim 1, wherein said human body indicia resembles said portion of said human body represented thereby.
 3. The game as set forth in claim 1, wherein said human body represents an entire human body.
 4. The game as set forth in claim 1, wherein said game board further comprises indicia that represents gamepiece movement increments by which the associated game piece is moved on said path indicated by said path indicia.
 5. The game as set forth in claim 1, wherein said at least one game control element comprises a plurality of cards comprising cards that describe movement of the associated game piece on said path indicated by said path indicia.
 6. The game as set forth in claim 5, wherein said cards that describe movement of the associated game piece define a fifty-two card deck of playing cards.
 7. The game as set forth in claim 5, wherein said cards that describe movement of the associated game piece comprise cards that describe movement of the associated game piece in terms of one of forward movement and reverse movement on said path indicated by said path indicia.
 8. The game as set forth in claim 5, wherein said plurality of cards further comprise at least one card that requires a first player of said game to entertain a second player of said game without physical contact between said first and second players.
 9. The game as set forth in claim 7, wherein said plurality of cards further comprises at least one card that requires a first player of said game to contact a second player of said game at a location on said second player's body as requested by said second player.
 10. A method of playing a game, said method comprising: moving a game piece on a path of a game board according to game rules and at least one game control element; determining a location of said game piece relative to human body indicia on said game board; contacting a second player of the game at a location on the body of the second player that varies based upon said location of said game piece relative to said human body indicia.
 11. A game comprising: a game board comprising path indicia defining a path for game piece movement and human body indicia representing a human body; at least one game control element for determining movement of an associated game piece on said path defined by said path indicia; and, game instructions that instruct a first player of said game to contact a second player of said game at a location on said second player's body that varies depending upon a location of the associated game piece on said path relative to said human body represented by said human body indicia. 